What can cause higher cholesterol?
Mia Johnson from New York wrote in with this snip "When you think of high cholesterol, you might think of someone who is experiencing it. However, high cholesterol can strike at any age - even in the very young. This article will tell you whether you need to begin worrying about high cholesterol in your child."
Risk Factors for High Cholesterol "Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary (heart) arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease." |
Numbers of High Cholesterol "The term 'prevalence' of High Cholesterol usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing High Cholesterol at any given time. The term 'incidence' of High Cholesterol refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of High Cholesterol diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ" |
What is the magic cholesterol number? Erin Peters from Germany writes with this snip "If you are 20 or older, you should check your cholesterol level at least once every 5 years as a regular check-up. It's desirable to have your cholesterol numbers within the desirable range. Levels in between are considered borderline high." |
Kids with High Cholesterol"Adults are not the only people affected by high cholesterol. Children also may have high levels of cholesterol, which can cause health problems when the child gets older. Too much cholesterol leads to the build-up of plaque on the walls of the arteries, which supply blood to the heart and other organs. Plaque can narrow the arteries and block the blood flow to the heart, causing heart problems. " |
Caring for Cholesterol "Most people can control their total serum cholesterol by following a healthy diet; maintaining a healthy weight for their age, height, and body type; not smoking; and participating in a regular exercise program. A healthy diet includes the daily recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains." |
LDL vs HDL"High-density lipoprotein (or HDL) cholesterol is a good type of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps clear the LDL cholesterol out of the blood and reduces your risk for heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol is a bad type of cholesterol that is most likely to clog blood vessels, increasing your risk for heart disease." |